[RAMLES]

Hi Folks. Bought my regular-cab 2014 Ram new and haven't had any accidents. It came with the long OEM stainless side steps that run from wheel well to wheel well. Recently noticed the driver side step angles up towards its rear and is about 1" higher than the rear of the passenger side. There don't appear to be any issues with the mounting brackets and bolt holes appear to be in same place on driver and passenger sides. The side step isn't bent and I wonder if it could be warped but that's not evident plus seems it wouldn't fit the bracket flushly if that were the case. Pulling the step doesn't seem like too big a deal but I don't have a good working setup and have concerns of complications reinstalling it. Would appreciate hearing if anyone has experienced same situation or thoughts/ideas. Thanks.

 

[mmahamm]

I put aftermarket steps on mine, and because of the way the pinch weld goes, the back is twisted up higher than the front, on both sides. It doesn't bother me.

 

[RAMLES]

Thanks much for your response - really appreciate it. After making the post I looked numerous times trying to determine the problem. There are four bolts securing the bracket to the truck - two at the pinch weld and two at top of the bracket. A body shop referred to that area as the rocker panel reinforcement. The very top of the bracket has been pulled about 1/4” away from the metal and the metal in that area is slightly bulged. That seems to indicate the bracket was used as a lift point - as the lift/jack pushed up on the bracket/step, that pulled the upper end of the bracket away from the rocker panel reinforcement with a rocker type motion. I think the 1/4” translated to the 1” at the step. Body shop agrees and I’ll be taking to them to hopefully simply push the bulge back in and that will bring down end of bracket holding the step. Kind of mystifying though is the section of pinch weld where the lower bolts go through doesn’t look misshapen. When bracket is removed that may shed some light about things. Thank you again!